Trade reps experience international influence of Rome, Darlington

A delegation of 16 trade and tourism representatives from Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the European Union, Japan, Mexico and South Korea visited the Darlington campus last week to learn more about the school's presence as an international boarding institution and community partner in Rome and Floyd County.

Their tour of Rome was a part of a regional visit coordinated by the Georgia Department of Economic Development in partnership with the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, and comprised a group of over 50 visitors in total.

As they made their way to lunch, the dignitaries were greeted by Darlington students from Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Sweden that lined the walkway between Morris Chapel and the Zelle Fine Arts Building, with their native countries’ flags blowing in the light breeze.

“I was honored to be there because I was representing my country,” said Tia Tay, a Darlington senior from Paris. “I feel like you gain a lot of culture and are more aware of things when you are surrounded by international people. They live in a different world, so it is interesting to hear their stories.” 

The special guests took the opportunity to connect with members of the school's international population over a meal in the Dodd Banquet Room, where they were joined by other students, faculty and community leaders, and briefed on the area's strong industry and culture of collaboration. There, they were also able to get a better picture of the global town that Rome has become thanks to a strong manufacturing sector and an international boarding school just blocks from a revitalized downtown.

“I came to Rome to learn more English,” said Art Fujita, a freshman from Tokyo who enrolled at Darlington to play in the Soccer Academy. “There was a [delegate] here, also from Japan. I haven't been talking in Japanese for a long time, so it was kind of weird—but a great opportunity to speak to her.” 

Several local government officials from Rome, Floyd County and Cave Spring accompanied the visitors on their tour to help showcase the area and the different benefits to locating and/or relocating business to Northwest Georgia. While the trade representatives were in town, they also visited the historic Downtown Rome district, Berry College, and Oak Hill and the Martha Berry Museum.
 
“Just talking with the students and getting to engage with tomorrow’s leaders is really a fantastic opportunity, and one that we don’t necessarily get all that often,” said Mary Waters, deputy commissioner of international trade for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “For us, it is easy to be in a community like this that gets it and really epitomizes innovation, education, tourism, arts, investment and trade. It all comes together in a community like Rome.”

The Georgia Department of Economic Development works to connect Georgia to the world by assisting foreign companies looking to establish business or manufacturing options in the state, and showcases the quality of life and leisure travel opportunities that the state offers. Rome is home to several successful plant operations with corporate headquarters overseas, including Brugg (Switzerland), F&P Manufacturing (Japan), Pirelli Tire North America (Italy), and Suzuki Manufacturing (Japan).

For the 2015-16 school year, Darlington’s population is made up of students from over 20 different countries worldwide and 16 states and territories. The school’s diversity is highlighted throughout the year with a variety of different events including the International Fair and a new Global Studies Speaker Series hosted by students.

Click here to see more photos from the delegation's visit to Darlington.